Singing Protests, Creative Communities, And Small Town Mic Drops: How Americans Are Fighting Back Festively
Take that, Grinches!
While we’re surrounded by heartwarming holiday stories about love and giving, we’re also facing a barrage of negative news and political woes. Thanks to our Scroogey politicians, things don’t feel quite so festive as we wish they would right now.
But luckily, we are a country full of multitasking people. Between tree trimming and cookie decorating, we join movements. Between gift-wrapping sessions, we organize protests. In the chaos of travel and shopping, we create a sense of peace in community.
Though it may not dominate your newsfeed, you don’t have to look too far to find that warm, fuzzy feeling that Trump always seems to want to snatch away.
Here are some stories that are filling me with hope right now:
Carol protests at The Home Depot
Over the last couple of weeks, a group of very talented carolers gathered outside of controversial establishments to perform resistance renditions of some favorite Christmas songs.
At Home Depot, The Resistance Revival Chorus belted out Feliz Navidad with “we don’t want no more deportations, we don’t want no more deportations, we don’t want no more deportations in the Home Depot parking looooot!” At Target, it was Rockin Around the Christmas Tree at the “we won’t buy it hop.” And outside Trump Tower, it was a mix of these carols and chants of “The people will rise!”
Since then, at least one informal group of carolers has replicated the effort outside of their Home Depot in Encinitas, California.
I hope it keeps catching, because it is truly beautiful to behold.
Holiday Market Raises Environmental Education
Earlier this month, The Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Minona, Wisconsin held its annual holiday market to fundraise for youth environmental education programs. Organizers were proud to announce that the event is still growing in popularity and in the number of vendors.
Local businesses and artists showcase handmade products with shared principles of sustainability and community at their core.
I love this market, because it showcases how local economies can be guided by values that are actually good for people and the planet. Things like this—even though they are small in scale—map out a vision for community development that is not centered purely on economic gains.
Minnesotans support Somali community
Small town Minnesotans showed up to support their treasured Somali community that has recently been targeted by Trump. In a snowball-effect kind of organization, residents poured into a local Somali restaurant and wrote notes of love, appreciation, and encouragement to their neighbors. As they ate and spoke together, they bonded over shared feelings of connection and stories of resilience.
In the end, notes were distributed to Somali businesses throughout the town.
One of the community members leading the informal coming-together effort, Jenny Groen, posted pictures online to document the outpouring of care.
She reported that one of her Somali neighbors said, "No matter what they say out there, they cannot destroy what we have built here. We are a community that loves each other."
Michigander fights for her home and her town.
Speaking of destroying what communities have built… There are still massive data center proposals strong-arming their way through small town protests across the US. While lots of people are very vocal with their opposition, one woman in Michigan stands out as especially courageous.
Kathryn Haushalter is literally stepping up to the podium to speak out against the powerful forces that forced their way into her township—including no less than Trump and Sam Altman. As an Afghanistan veteran, nature-loving farmer, and homeschooling mom of 5, she is lending her story and face to the movement against environmental injustice in Michigan.
The Guardian shared Haushalter’s story with a photo of her on her farm and the headline, “‘Uniquely evil’: Michigan residents fight against huge datacenter backed by top tycoons.” And in a beautifully summarized piece, it explains the corruption her township is facing.
Vowing to fight (despite moving to her rural farm for a quiet life), Haushalter was the portrait of meeting-the-moment as she spoke with community members on the steps of the state Capitol. She said, “Our humanity matters. Not screens. Not data…I promise with everything in me: I will stay and fight.”
We have amazing, good-hearted people around here.
There are a lot of daunting challenges out there right now, but I am so uplifted by people like these.
We have whole communities of folks stepping up in powerful ways. Their character makes up the fabric of our country. Theirs can be the image of our future, though it really is a fight right now.
Look for the heroes like this in your world, and get behind them. Be a game-changer for good in your neck-of-the-woods. And hold on to the belief that we are building a stronger country as we fight the misguided and corrupt inner workings of today’s government.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
With love and hope for the future,
Stephanie
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What is inspiring you this holiday season?
“The role of the artist is exactly the same as the role of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see.” - James Baldwin
Great piece!